Sealed electric switch

Abstract

A one piece seal for an electric switch for sealing the spaces between a pivotal switch actuator and its supporting frame and between such frame and the switch base. This seal comprises a generally rectangular molded member of resilient material having a raised central boot portion containing a pair of downwardly extending leg openings for sealingly receiving respective legs of the switch actuator, a pair of lugs or pads on its bottom surface for locating and retaining the seal with respect to the switch base, and a crisscross pattern of shallow raised ribs on at least one surface of the seal along the perimeter thereof. The seal is pinched between the frame and base, compressing the ribs, and hugs the actuator legs to provide an economical but effective seal.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A sealed electric switch comprising: 
       a switch housing comprising an insulating open-top base and a frame having an actuator opening, said frame connected to said base to close the top thereof except for said actuator opening thereby to provide a contact compartment therewithin;  
       contact means in said compartment including stationary contacts and movable contact means operable to close and open with respect to said stationary contacts;  
       terminal means for connecting said stationary contacts to an external circuit;  
       an actuator and pivot means mounting said actuator to said frame and having a stem extending freely through said opening into said compartment for actuating said movable contact means when said actuator is pivotally operated;  
       a seal member for sealing said compartment from the outside comprising:  
       a preformed generally flat resilient member having its rim clamped between said frame and said base and having an opening therethrough for receiving said actuator stem, said generally flat resilient member further having a crisscross pattern of raised ribs along a perimeter of at least one surface thereof for engagement by a corresponding surface of a housing member of said switch; and  
       wherein said crisscross pattern is disposed diagonally to perimeter edges of said flat resilient member.  
     
     
       2. The sealed electric switch claimed in  claim 1  wherein intersections of said ribs are disposed in a row, at least one such row being disposed along each perimeter edge in an area engaged by said corresponding surface of a housing member. 
     
     
       3. The sealed electric switch claimed in  claim 2  wherein said ribs have a reduced-width cross section at distal ends thereof. 
     
     
       4. The sealed electric switch claimed in  claim 2  wherein said ribs comprise a triangular cross section, the base of which is adjacent said surface of flat resilient member.